frady



Feb. 14, 1956 M. A. FRADY 2,734,997

DEMOUNTABLE REMOTE CONTROLLED DIRIGIBLE LIGHT Filed Oct. 23, 1952 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig 3 wig Michael A. Fraa'y INVENTOR.

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M. A. FRADY Feb. 14, 1956 DEMOUNTABLE REMOTE CONTROLLED DIRIGIBLE LIGHT2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23. 1952 4 8 :0 u, A m mm v FM m m Q m a l eM m .c n M u Y B United States Patent C) 2,734,997 DEMOUNTABLE REMOTECONTROLLED nnuGIBLE LIGHT Michael A. Fratly, New Orleans, La., assignorof fifty per cent to Vincent J. Stassi, New Orleans, La.

Application October 23, 1952, Serial No. 316,384 8 Claims. (Cl.240-61.6)

The present invention relates to lamps and more particularly relates toa demountable lamp construction that is adapted for general use onpiers, docks, small boats and other structures wherein it is not desiredor feasible to mount permanent lighting fixtures.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a demountable lightthat may be attached and detached within a few seconds without theconnection or disconnection of any wires.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a light of theabove-described character that will make electrical contact immediatelyupon attachment and that when detached will leave no obstruction on thedeck of a boat or other surface upon which the same is mounted.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a remotecontrol light in which direction of the beam of the light may be variedwithin wide limits with out the use of gears or the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide ademountable, remote control light including a novel mounting bracketassembly in which the mounting bracket itself serves as the electricalcontact for the light and in which the light is provided with a novelsupporting standard construction which permits the variance in thedirection of the beam of the light without necessitating the use ofgears as is set forth in the aforementioned object.

A last object of the invention to be mentioned specifically is theprovision of a demountable, remote control light having a mountingbracket assembly that is easily and simply protected from the elementsupon removal of the light and its associated standard from the mountingbracket assembly.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features which willlater become apparent as the following description proceeds, areobtained by this device, a preferred embodiment of which is shown by wayof example only'in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the demountable light of the presentinvention mounted on the deck of a small boat;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the demountable lightand its associated mounting bracket assembly taken partly incross-section to show the details of construction thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the mounting bracketassembly of the demountable light of the present invention, with thelower end portion of the demountable light in position;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along sectionline 4-4of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the demountable light with partsof the boat deck being shown in crosssection and disclosing the remotecontrol means whereby the direction of the beam of the light may bevaried; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the diz rection of thebeam of the light pointing in a direction diiferent from that shown inFigure 5.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in detail, it will be noted thatlike reference characters are utilized to designate similar partsthroughout the various views.

The numeral 10 designates generally the front end of a small boat, whichserves as a convenient, but by no means the only, environment upon whichthe demountable light of the present invention is to be utilized. Theboat 10 includes a hull 12, instrument panel or dashboard 14 and aforward deck 16 on the central portion of which the demountable lightconstruction 18 of the present inventioned is mounted. i I

The demountable light construction 18 itself comprises generally threeelements, namely, the lamp or light itself 20, which may be, as is shownin the preferred embodiment, in the form of a suitable spot or search"light, a standard 22 and a mounting bracket assembly 24.

Referring first to the mounting bracket assembly 24, it will be notedthat the same consists of an annular disk 26 secured to the top surfaceof the deck 16 by means of fasteners 28. The central portion of the disk26 is thickened to form an upstanding boss 30 having an internallythreaded bore 32 therethrough aligned with an aperture 34 in the deck16. Spaced, parallel upstanding lugs 36 are secured to the upper surfaceof the disk 26 adjacent the raised boss 30 and a cup-shaped closureplate 38 for embracing the boss 30 and closing the aperture for bore 32therethrough is hinged to the lugs 36 by means of a hinge pin 40.

Also forming part of the mounting bracket assembly 24 and secured to theunder-surface of the deck 16 of the boat 10 is a U-shaped yoke ormounting bracket 42 including a web 44, side flanges or legs 46 and feet48 at the free ends of the legs 46. The fastening elements 28 extendthrough the deck 16 and through apertures in the feet 48 of the mountingbracket 42. Nuts 50, threaded on the lower ends of the fasteners 28,secure the feet 48 and consequently, the mounting bracket 42 to theundersurface of the deck 16. An electrical conductor 52, extending froma source of electricity such as a storage battery or the like (notshown), is secured between one of the feet 48 and an associated nut 50and thereby grounded on the frame of the mounting bracket 42. On one ofthe legs 46 is mounted, by means of screw 54', a resilient U-shapedmetal strap 58 having its free ends disposed between the legs 46. Asecond electrical conductor 60 extending from the source of electricity(not shown) is attached to the screw 54 in electrical contact with theresilient metal strap 53 for a purpose that will later become apparent.

'Thestandard 22 comprises a central tubular member or tube 62 having anopen, bifurcated upper end 64 and a closed polygonal-shaped, preferablysquare, lower end 66. When the light is mounted on the bracket assembly24, the upper end of the central tubular member 62 is disposed above thedeck 16 and the bracket assembly 24 while the lower end of the centraltubular member 62 is disposed beneath the deck 16 between the legs 46 ofthe bracket 42 with the intermediate portion of the tubular member 62extending loosely through the aligned bore 32 and aperture 34.Surrounding the central tubular member 62 in concentric relationtherewith is a second tubular member 68 having open upper and lowerends. This second tubular member 68 is somewhat shorter than the centraltubular member 62 and terminates at its ends short of the ends of thecentral tubular member 62. A light supporting post 70 projects upwardlyfrom the upper end of the second tubular member 68in longitudinallyoffset relation to the central tubular member 62. The upper end of thispost 70 is bifurcated as'at 72. Inter- Patented Feb. 14, 1956 mediatethe ends of the second tubular column or member 68 is formed anoutwardly, radially extending annular flange 74 while a clamping ring orbushing 76 is secured to the lower end of the tubular member 68.

Concentrically surrounding the tubular column 68 between the flange 74and the bushing or clamping ring 76 is a sleeve 78 having a nut 80formed integrally therewith adjacent the lower end and having anenlarged externally threaded portion at its lower end threaded into thebore 32 of the boss 30 of the disk 26.

It is to be noted that the upper and the lower ends of the sleeve 78abut the flange 74 and clamping ring 76 of the second tubular member 68whereby longitudinal movement of the tubular member 68 with respect tothe sleeve 78 is prohibited, rotational movement between these membersbeing, however, permitted. It is also to be noted that the centraltubular member 62 of the standard 22 is longitudinally slidable withrespect to the sleeve 78 and the second tubular member 68. Thus, both ofthe members 62 and 63 are rotatable with respect to the sleeve 78 whilethe central tubular member 62 is longitudinally slidable with respect toboth the second tubular member 68 and the sleeve 78.

The light 20 has a flange 82 depending therefrom, which flange is seatedbetween the iurcations of the bifurcated ends 72 and 64. Pivot pins 84extending between the furcations of the bifurcated ends 72 and 64 mountthe light 20 on the tubular members 62 and 68 respectively. At theconnection of the flange 82 with the central tubular member 62, theflange is provided with an arcuate slot 86 whereby the light 20 will bevertically pivoted about the post '70 upon longitudinal movement of thetubular member 62.

A wire or conductor 88 extends from the light 20 through an aperture 90in the tubular member 62 to the lower end of this member. At the lowerend of the member 62 and concentrically surrounding the same, is aninsulating sheath 92. concentrically surrounding and secured to thissheath 92 is an annular, metal contact plate 94 to which the terminalend of the conductor 88 is attached. At all times when the light ismounted, the contact plate 94 will remain in contact with the resilientstrip 58 disposed between the legs 46 of the bracket 42.

By this arrangement, when it is desired to mount the light, the standard22 is simply inserted through the aligned bores 32 and 34 and securedthereto by means of the sleeve 78. Since upon such insertion of thestandard 22, electrical contact is made between the contact strip 58 andthe contact plate 94, the light 20 is obviously energized and ready foruse. By virtue of the fact that the conductor 88 is disposed entirelywithin the tubular member 62 with the contact plate 94 forming a portionof the member 62, there are no wires to connect or disconnect in themounting or demounting of the light from the mounting bracket assembly24.

To remotely control the lamp or light 20 from the dashboard orinstrument panel 14 of the boat without the use of gears, a plug 96having a central bore 98 therethrough is securely mounted on the web 44of the bracket 42. A socket member 100 extends rotatably through thebore 98 of the plug and has an upwardly opening polygonal-shaped,preferably square, recess in its upper end receiving the similar-shapedlower end 66 of the central tubular member 62 of the standard 22. Tourge the lower end 66 of the tubular member 62 into seating engagementin the recess 102, a coil spring 104 surrounds the tubular member 62 andseats at its upper and lower ends against the lower end of the outertubular member 68 and an insulating washer 106 surrounding the uppersurface of the contact plate 94 tending to urge the tubular member 62downwardly relative to member 68.

A flexible cable 108 is secured to or coextensive with the lower end ofthe socket member 100 and extends through the dashboard or instrumentpanel 14 of the boat, at which point a knob, or other handle means 110.F

is provided on the cable. Protecting sheath or shield 112 surrounds theflexible cable or shaft 108 and protects the same from the elements.

To vertically pivot the light 20, the control knob 110 is pushedinwardly toward the dash 14 thereby pressing the tubular member 62upward against the weight of the light and pressure of spring 184, andpivoting the light 20 in such a manner that the direction of the beamtherefrom will be downwardly inclined as seen in Figure 5. To inclinethe beam of the light upwardly, the control knob 118 is simply pulledaway from the dash 14, causing the tubular member 62 to be urgeddownwardly relative to member 68 fixed with sleeve 78 by the action ofthe spring 104 to be pressed further downward toward the web 44 of thebracket 42 as seen in Figure 6. To move the light 20 to the right orleft, regardless of the vertical angle at which the direction of thebeam is pointed, the control knob 110 is simply twisted to the right orleft, which twisting movement will be imparted to the socket member andconsequently to the lower end of the standard 62. Since both thestandard 62 and the standard 68 upon which the light 20 is mounted arefree to turn with respect to the attaching sleeve 78, the rotationalmovement imparted to the member 62 will likewise be imparted to thelight 20.

From the foregoing description, the construction and operation of theinvention are believed to be readily apparent. However, since numerousmodifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the artafter a consideration of the foregoing specification taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction shown and described. But, allsuitable modifications may be resorted to falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A demountable light construction comprising a light, a mountingbracket assembly and a standard, said standard being removably mountedin said bracket assembly and said light being mounted on said standard,electrical contact means on said bracket assembly directly contacting aportion of said standard to energize the light, said mounting bracketassembly comprising a disk having a central aperture therein, and abracket secured to and depending below said disk, said standardconsisting of longitudinally extensible outer and inner tubular members,means securing said outer member to said disk, said inner memberextending through said disk and terminating within said bracket, saidlight being pivotally attached at spaced points to upper ends of saidouter and inner tubular members, a remote control means connected tosaid standard and said bracket assembly for pivoting the light about thestandard and rotating the light and standard, said remote control meansincluding a socket member mounted for longitudinal and rotationalmovement in said bracket, the lower end of said inner member beingseated in said socket member, resilient means on said standardyieldingly urging said inner member into seating engagement with saidsocket member.

2. A demountable, remote control light construction comprising a light,a mounting bracket assembly, a standard and a remote control meansconnected to said standard and said mounting bracket assembly, saidstandard including an outer tubular member rotatably mounted on saidbracket assembly and an inner tubular member longitudinally movable withrespect to said outer member, a flange depending from said light andbeing pivotally connected to the upper ends of said outer and innertubular members, said flange having an arcuate slot at its connection tosaid inner tubular member to form a sliding pivot, a socket memberlongitudinally and rotatably secured to said mounting bracket assembly,the lower end of said inner tubular member seating in said socket memberfor movement therewith, spring means urging said inner tubular memberinto seating engagement with said socket member, said remote controlmeans including an actuating shaft connected to said socket member andterminating remotely therefrom, longitudinal movement of said socketmember causing said light to swing vertically about its pivotalconnection to said outer standard and rotation of said socket membercausing said light to swing horizontally.

3. A demountable light construction comprising a light, a mountingbracket assembly and a standard, said standard comprising longitudinallyextensible outer and inner tubular members, means non-slidably androtatably securing said outer member to said assembly, and actuatingmeans connecting said inner member to said assembly for sliding androtatable movement therein, said light being pivotally attached atspaced points to the upperends of said outer and inner tubular members,said actuating means tilting said light upon sliding movement of saidinner member and rotating said light upon rotation of said inner member,an annular electrical contact sleeve mounted on and surrounding thelower end of said inner member, an insulating sheath spacing said sleeveand inner member from one another, a cable electrically connecting saidlight and said sleeve, a contact member mounted on said assembly freelyslidably engaging said sleeve to retain electrical contact therewithupon sliding and rotary movement of said inner member, said actuatingmeans including a non-circular socket, the lower end of said innertubular member being of non-circular configuration and fitting removablyin said socket.

4. The combination of claim 3, and a control member extending from saidsocket rotating and sliding the same.

5. In a demountable light construction including a mounting bracketassembly and a standard removably mounted in the bracket assembly, saidbracket assembly including a disk having a securing aperture therein,said standard including a sleeve mounted in the apertured portion ofsaid disk, a first tubular member rotatably supported in said sleeve andincluding an intermediate flange portion rotatably engageable on anupper edge portion of said sleeve, an upper end portion of said tubularmember being pivotally connectable to the light construction, the lowerend of said tubular member extending through said sleeve in relativelyrotatable relation thereto, a central tubular member extendingreciprocably and rotatably through said first tubular member and sleeve,the central tubular member including an upper end portion extendingthrough the sleeve and first tubular member and pivotally connectable tothe light construction in spaced relation to the connection thereof withthe first tubular member, the lower end portion of the central tubularmember extending through the first tubular member, and resilient meansextending between the lower ends of the tubular member urging themapart.

6. In a demountable light construction including a mounting bracketassembly and a standard removably mounted thereon, said bracket assemblyincluding a disk having a securing aperture portion therein, saidstandard including an external sleeve mounted in said securing aperture,said standard including outer and inner telescoping sections extendingthrough said disk aperture and rotatable in said sleeve, the outersection including an intermediate flange portion rotatably engaged on atop edge portion of said sleeve, said inner section having its lower endportion projecting below the lower end portion of said outer section,resilient means extending between the lower ends of said telescopingsections urging them apart, the mounting bracket including a lowersupport portion extending downwardly from said disk, socket supportmeans carried on the lower support portion of said bracket, the lowerend portion of said inner section being engageable with the socketsupport means on said mountin g bracket.

7. In a demountable light construction as set forth in claim 6 includingan outer contact plate mounted on the lower end portion of the innersection, an insulating sheath separating said plate and said innersection from each other, an electrical conduit in said inner section inelectrical contact with said plate, a resilient contact clip mounted onsaid lower support portion of the mounting bracket releasably engagingsaid plate, said resilient means reacting between said outer section andsaid plate tending to urge them apart, and a second electrical conduitmeans connected to said resilient contact clip providing a circuit tosaid light construction.

8. In a demountable light construction including a standard comprisingslidingly telescoping outer and inner sections, said outer sectionhaving an annular flange therearound intermediate its ends, a sleevereceived over said outer section having its upper end rotatably engagingsaid flange, an enlargement on the lower end of said inner section,means rotatably securing the outer section against reciprocable movementwithin said sleeve, resilient means reacting between said outer sectionand enlargement on the lower end of the inner section urging saidsections away from each other, and a mounting bracket assemblydetachably supporting said standard and sleeve, said (bracket assemblyincluding a boss portion having a threaded bore therethrough, saidsleeve having a threaded lower end threadedly received in said threadedbore.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

